CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balances at Beginning at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,493	$ 348,889	$ 165,160	$ (24,011)	$ (3,400)	$ 1,452	$ 489,583
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Tompkins Financial Corporation			12,680			33	12,713
Other comprehensive income				5,749			5,749
Total Comprehensive Income							18,462
Cash dividends			(6,261)				(6,261)
Net exercise of stock options and related tax benefit	4	1,252					1,256
Stock-based compensation expense		386					386
Shares issued for employee stock ownership plan	3	1,592					1,595
Directors deferred compensation plan		(23)			23		0
Restricted stock activity	0	0					0
Adoption of ASU 2014-01 Investments Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects			(725)				(725)
Balances at Ending at Mar. 31, 2015	1,500	352,096	170,854	(18,262)	(3,377)	1,485	504,296
Balances at Beginning at Dec. 31, 2015	1,502	350,823	197,445	(31,001)	(3,755)	1,452	516,466
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Tompkins Financial Corporation			14,180			33	14,213
Other comprehensive income				12,660			12,660
Total Comprehensive Income							26,873
Cash dividends			(6,594)				(6,594)
Net exercise of stock options and related tax benefit	1	172					173
Common stock repurchased and returned to unissued status	(2)	(1,164)					(1,166)
Stock-based compensation expense		496					496
Shares issued for employee stock ownership plan	3	1,935					1,938
Directors deferred compensation plan		(121)			121		0
Restricted stock activity	(1)	0					(1)
Common stock issued for purchase acquisition	3	1,705					1,708
Balances at Ending at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 1,506	$ 353,846	$ 205,031	$ (18,341)	$ (3,634)	$ 1,485	$ 539,893